Chula Vista has reasons to cheer

CHULA VISTA — With one minute remaining in the first half of last night's Castle Park-Chula Vista football game, the public address announcer reminded Spartans students that progress reports are coming out on Tuesday.

Who invited this guy to the party? He was drowned out in mid-message by a chorus of boos.

That was about the only thing that Chula Vista didn't have to cheer about in its season opener, a 41-10 victory over Castle Park at Joseph Rindone Stadium.

Chula Vista quarterback Victor Perez stood above the crowd literally and figuratively. The 6-foot-5 senior passed for a career-high four touchdowns — three in the first half — to lead the Spartans.

“We were able to do what we wanted,” said Perez, who completed 10-of-19 passes for 199 yards. “But we should have done even better than that.”

Castle Park opened the scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run by Jovonnie Gonzalez midway through the first quarter. That was about it for the Trojans, however, who established the run early but had no passing attack to turn to when they fell behind.

The Spartans came right back after Castle scored, capping an 80-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Perez to Thomas Tutogi to make it 7-7 with 2:14 remaining in the opening period.

Chula Vista took control in the second quarter when Perez hit Aaron Taylor on a slant and Taylor turned it into a 69-yard TD. On their next possession, the Spartans mixed the run and the pass before Perez found Robert Hatchett in the left corner of the end zone for a 10-yard TD that provided a 21-7 halftime lead.

Perez and Taylor hooked up again in the fourth quarter on a 44-yard scoring play. The defensive highlight for Chula Vista was Eddie Servin's 17-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final period.

“We still have some things to work on,” said Chula Vista head coach Judd Rachow, “but it's a good start.”